Congestion status measurement system

Abstract

To provide a highly accurate congestion measurement system which does not require large-scale wiring work.SOLUTION: A congestion measurement system of the present invention comprises multiple power generation units with power generation elements configured to generate power when weight is applied, transmission means for transmitting a signal using a voltage generated by the power generation units as a power source, information processing means configured to receive the signal from the transmission means and determine the state of congestion from the signal, and display means for displaying a congestion state determination result of the information processing means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a congestion measurement system, and more particularly to a system for measuring the degree of human congestion using sensors. [Background technology]

[0002] Restaurants, supermarkets, train stations, public facilities, event venues, tourist attractions, and public transportation all experience high foot traffic and can become crowded. For example, visiting a restaurant without a reservation during lunchtime or dinnertime can lead to long waits for seats, or even giving up on dining there altogether due to uncertainty about the wait time. Similarly, waiting in line on the platform for a non-reserved seat on a train can result in finding the carriage full, forcing passengers to navigate the cramped train with their luggage to find available seats elsewhere. Tourist attractions can also be overcrowded due to unexpected crowds, preventing visitors from fully enjoying their experience. While reservation systems exist for restaurants and reserved seats on public transportation, many, especially on local lines, lack such systems. Furthermore, some users may not want to use their reservations if they knew on the day of travel that the place would be crowded, meaning that simply offering reservations isn't a complete solution.

[0003] In response to this, in recent years, a system has been developed that measures the level of congestion inside a train by installing load cells on the floor and measuring the change in weight on the floor (for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a system has been developed that measures congestion by installing cameras and sensors inside the train car (for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-192940 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-142471 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 estimates the level of congestion based on the weight on the floor, which can lead to an overestimation of congestion due to passengers carrying heavy luggage, such as tourists. On the other hand, if there are many passengers with lighter weight, such as women or children, the level of congestion may be judged as lower than the actual number of passengers, resulting in a lack of accuracy in judging the level of congestion. Furthermore, with the technology described in Patent Document 2, installing cameras inside the vehicle may make passengers aware of an invasion of privacy. Also, if motion sensors such as infrared sensors are used, multiple sensors must be installed throughout the vehicle to accurately determine the level of congestion. However, all of these sensors would require external power sources such as AC power or batteries, as well as signal wiring, which would necessitate extensive modifications such as embedding wiring conduits inside the floor, ceiling, and walls, making it difficult to apply to existing vehicles. Moreover, not only in vehicles, but also in restaurants, mass retailers, stations, public facilities, event venues, and tourist attractions, installing multiple cameras and sensors and running power and signal wiring to them is extremely large-scale and not easily applicable. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a congestion measurement system that does not require extensive wiring work and is highly accurate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the inventors of the present invention have arrived at the following invention.

[0007] In other words, the congestion status measurement system of the present invention comprises a plurality of power generation units equipped with power generation elements that generate electricity by load, a transmitting means that transmits a signal using the voltage generated from the power generation units as a power source, an information processing means that receives the signal from the transmitting means and determines the congestion status from the signal, and a display means that displays the congestion status determination result by the information processing means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] With the above configuration, the congestion measurement system of the present invention generates electricity when a person steps on or passes over the power generation unit, thereby applying weight. This activates the transmission means, which then transmits a signal to the information processing means. The information processing means receives this signal, determines the congestion status, and displays the congestion status on the display means. Since the power generation unit and the transmission means do not necessarily require an external power source, there is no need to install external power supply wiring. Furthermore, since the presence of a person on the power generation unit is determined by actually stepping on or passing over it, the amount of people in that location, i.e., the congestion status, can be accurately determined by arranging multiple power generation units. Therefore, the congestion measurement system of the present invention does not require extensive wiring work and can measure congestion status with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a congestion status measurement system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a switching circuit used in a congestion status measurement system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing another example of the congestion status measurement system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the process performed by the information processing means of the congestion status measurement system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing another example of a flowchart of the process performed by the information processing means of the congestion status measurement system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of a flowchart of the process performed by the information processing means of the congestion status measurement system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a congestion measurement system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8]It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a congestion situation measurement system according to a second embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses. For the sake of brevity, components having substantially the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the congestion situation measurement system 1 of the present invention includes a plurality of power generation units 20 each including a power generation element 10 that generates power by weight, transmission means 40 that transmits a signal 30 using the voltage generated from the power generation unit 20 as a power source, information processing means 50 that receives the signal 30 from the transmission means 40 and determines the congestion situation from the signal 30, and display means 70 that displays the determination result 60 of the congestion situation by the information processing means 50.

[0012] It is preferable to further include a switching circuit of either a MOS-FET or a transistor that amplifies the voltage generated from the power generation unit and activates the transmission means, and a battery or a cell.

[0013] Each of the power generation units is assigned a unique identification number, and it is preferable that the information processing means identifies the unique information of the power generation unit that has generated power among the plurality of power generation units and specifies the position information of the power generation unit that has generated power.

[0014] It is preferable that the information processing means determines the determination result of the congestion situation from the number of the power generation units that have generated power among the entire power generation units.

[0015] It is preferable that the information processing means calculates the number of people from the change in the position information of the power generation units that have generated power within a predetermined time.

[0016] (Congestion Situation Measurement System) In the present invention, the congestion status measurement system comprises a plurality of power generation units 20 each equipped with a power generation element 10, a transmission means 40, an information processing means 50, and a display means 70.

[0017] The congestion measurement system is not limited to specific locations, but is suitably applied to restaurants, retail stores, train stations, public facilities, event venues, tourist attractions, public transportation, etc. Furthermore, the installation method of the congestion measurement system is not limited; the power generation unit 20 can be installed on chairs, floors, stairs, handrails, roads (including sidewalks), bridges, etc., to measure congestion levels in those locations.

[0018] Specifically, multiple power generation units 20 are installed in locations where congestion measurement is desired. Each power generation unit 20 is equipped with a power generation element 10, which generates electricity when a person's weight is applied to it. Therefore, electricity is generated when a person stands or sits on the power generation element 10 in the power generation unit 20, and multiple power generation units 20 are installed. By checking whether or not each power generation unit 20 generates electricity, it is possible to measure the congestion status, such as the presence or absence of people, the number of people, and the density of people (population density), at the location where the congestion measurement system 1 is installed. The energy generated by the power generation in the power generation unit 20 is transmitted to the transmission means 40. The transmission means 40 is started using the energy transmitted from the power generation unit as its power source. The transmission means 40 uses the energy from the power generation unit to transmit a signal 30 to the information processing means 50. The information processing means 50 uses the signal 30 to generate a congestion status determination result 60. The information processing means 50 transmits the determination result 60 to the display means 70, and the congestion status determination result 60 is displayed on the display means 70.

[0019] When a person stands or sits on the power generation unit 20, weight is applied to the power generation element 10, generating electricity. If this does not reach a predetermined amount of power, the transmission means 40 cannot be activated. Therefore, the activation of the transmission means 40 is equivalent to a person standing or sitting on the power generation unit 20. The activation of the transmission means 40 alone allows for accurate determination of whether a person is standing or sitting on the power generation unit 20. Furthermore, whether the person is a child or an adult, carrying luggage or not, the weight of a person who should be the subject of congestion measurement is usually at least 3 kg, and a certain amount of power generation can be expected, making malfunctions and misjudgments less likely.

[0020] Furthermore, according to the congestion measurement system of the present invention, at least from the power generation unit 20 to the transmission means 40, an external power supply is not necessarily required. In other words, multiple units can be installed in locations where congestion measurement is desired, even without a power supply, eliminating the need for large-scale power wiring work and the hassle of battery replacement. In addition, by separating the information processing means 50 and the display means 70 from the transmission means 40 and enabling wireless communication between them, and configuring the information processing means 50 and the display means 70 to operate on a separate power supply or battery, or by placing them near the transmission means 40 and connecting them directly by wire to utilize the energy generated by the power generation unit 20, large-scale signal wiring work can also be eliminated. Since the power generated by the power generation unit 20 powers the transmission means 40, there is no power consumption in the transmission means 40 during standby, and the congestion status measurement system can be used for a long period of time.

[0021] (Power Generation Department) In this invention, the power generation unit 20 includes a power generation element 10. The power generation element 10 is capable of generating electricity by weight. That is, when a person stands or sits on the power generation element 10 of the power generation unit 20 and weight is applied, electricity is generated, and the transmitting means 40 is activated by the energy of this generated electricity. The type, shape, and number of power generation elements 10 are not particularly limited, and any known power generation element such as a piezoelectric element containing ceramics, a triboelectric power generation element in which a charged material is laminated on an elastomer, or a power-generating rubber can be used. More preferably, a triboelectric power generation element or power-generating rubber made of a flexible material is used. By using such a flexible triboelectric power generation element or power-generating rubber, the power generation unit 20 can have a high power generation capacity per unit area and be less likely to break due to its flexibility even when weight is applied, and the transmitting means 40 can be activated more reliably when a person stands or sits on it.

[0022] The power generation unit 20 only needs to be equipped with a power generation element 10, but it may also include other components such as a cushioning material to reduce impact when a person stands or sits on it, tiles placed on top of the power generation element to evenly distribute the load to the element, a base plate to support the power generation element 10 from below, a container, bag, or sheet to protect the power generation element 10 from water, sand, dust, electromagnetic noise, etc., wiring to extract power from the power generation element 10, and a pilot lamp to indicate that the power generation element 10 has generated power.

[0023] The shape and installation method of the power generation unit 20 are not limited, but if it is installed on a chair, for example, it is preferable that it be configured to be installable on at least one of the chair's seat, backrest, headrest, armrest, or footrest. If the power generation unit 20 is installed on the chair's seat, backrest, headrest, or footrest, it may have a cushioning material such as cloth, cotton, rubber, nonwoven fabric, or beads on its surface, or it may be built into the inside of the chair's seat, backrest, headrest, or footrest. If the power generation unit 20 is installed on a floor, stairs, road, bridge, etc., it may be laid directly on the floor, treads, asphalt, concrete, soil, etc., or it may be installed under flooring material such as carpet or tiles. If the power generation unit 20 is installed on a handrail, it is preferable that it be configured to be built into or installed on the surface of the part of the handrail that comes into contact with the hand.

[0024] Furthermore, the number of power generation units 20 is not limited; it is sufficient to have two or more. For example, in the case of a chair, one or more power generation units 20 may be installed in one or more locations among the seat, backrest, headrest, footrest, and armrests of the chair, and it is more preferable to install power generation units 20 in two or more of these locations. For example, by installing a power generation unit 20 on the seat of a chair, the power generation element 10 provided in the power generation unit 20 generates electricity when a person sits down. This activates the transmission means 40, and the information processing means 50, which receives the signal from the transmission means 40, displays information about the congestion status on the display means 70. On the other hand, if a person sitting in an adjacent chair places heavy luggage on another empty chair, the information processing means 50 may mistakenly determine that a person is sitting in the chair on which the luggage is placed. Therefore, power generation units 20 may also be installed on the backrest, headrest, footrest, armrest, etc., in addition to the seat of the chair, and the information processing means 50 may be configured to determine that a person is sitting in a chair when power generation occurs in two or more locations on that chair.

[0025] Furthermore, when the power generation unit 20 is installed on a floor, stairs, road, bridge, or other structure, it is preferable that multiple power generation units 20 are arranged in the width direction of these structures. This allows for the measurement of each individual by having each person stand on a different power generation unit 20 when multiple people are moving side by side or passing each other. More preferably, multiple power generation units 20 are arranged not only in the width direction but also in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, so that multiple power generation units 20 are installed regularly or irregularly in both the vertical and horizontal directions. This makes it possible to measure the number of people, their density, and even their direction of movement.

[0026] More specifically, the arrangement of the power generation units 20 can be in a single row, randomly arranged vertically and horizontally on a plane, or multiple power generation elements can be arranged vertically and horizontally in a matrix (grid or checkerboard) or honeycomb shape. Preferably, the power generation units 20 are arranged vertically and horizontally in a matrix, as this increases the probability that when a person gets on or sits, they will be on at least one of the multiple power generation elements, thus allowing for more reliable measurement of congestion levels.

[0027] Furthermore, in the power generation unit 20, the power generation elements 10 may be left exposed, but each power generation element may be provided with a known floor plate member such as a plate or tile on its surface. For example, Figure 1 shows an example where each power generation unit 20 is provided with a tile-like floor plate member, and one power generation element 10 is provided on the back surface of each power generation unit 20. In addition to providing one power generation element 10 per power generation unit 20, if a floor plate member as described above is provided, multiple power generation elements 10 may be provided on each floor plate member. If each power generation element 10 is large, the power generation elements 10 can be arranged closely together, and if each power generation element 10 is small, a floor plate member can be placed on each power generation element 10, and by arranging these floor plate members closely together, the probability of a person standing or sitting on the power generation element 10 can be increased. Alternatively, any flexible sheet such as rubber or silicone can be placed over the power generation elements 10. In this case, it will be treated the same as when the power generation elements 10 are arranged exposed in the following explanation.

[0028] The size of one power generation unit 20 when the power generation elements 10 are exposed, or the size of one floor plate member when a floor plate member is placed on the power generation elements 10, is not limited to 3 cm. 2 More than 9000cm 2 The following is preferable: The size of one power generation element 10 is 3 cm 2 If the size is less than 9000 cm², it will be impossible to measure the congestion level without arranging many power generation units 20, which would necessitate a very precise structure and may not guarantee strength when a person's weight is applied. Also, if the size of one power generation unit 20 is 9000 cm², 2 If it exceeds this, the possibility of multiple people riding or sitting on a single power generation unit 20 at the same time increases, and it may become impossible to accurately measure the congestion level. More preferably, 100 cm 2 More than 3600cm 2 The following is preferable:

[0029] Furthermore, when collecting information on whether or not a person riding or sitting on the power generation unit 20 is moving, it is preferable to arrange multiple power generation units 20 in a matrix or honeycomb shape vertically and horizontally. By arranging multiple power generation units 20 in a matrix or honeycomb shape vertically and horizontally, it is possible to detect whether or not a person riding or sitting on the power generation unit 20 is moving. In addition, as the number of power generation units 20 arranged vertically and horizontally increases, it becomes possible to estimate not only the number of people riding or sitting on the power generation unit 20, but also information such as the direction and speed of movement of these people, and it becomes possible to distinguish between noise from bicycles, carts, trolleys, etc. passing by and the amount of pedestrian traffic.

[0030] Furthermore, the shape of the power generation element 10 when the power generation unit 20 is composed of the shape of the power generation element 10 itself, and the shape of the floor plate member when the power generation unit 20 is composed of the power generation element 10 with a floor plate member placed on top, are not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the shape in a planar view is either a roughly square, a roughly hexagon, or a roughly circular shape. Here, a roughly square means not only a square in which all sides are of the same length and each interior angle is 90 degrees, but also a square in which the four corners are rounded off, or a shape in which curves are combined with each side. A roughly hexagon means not only a regular hexagon but also a hexagon in which the corners are rounded. Here, a roughly circular shape means a perfect circle, an ellipse, or a shape in which straight lines are combined with a part of a circle.

[0031] Preferably, if the power generation units 20 are arranged so that the gaps between them are small, it can also be applied to measuring the number of small-footed children, dogs, cats, and other animals. The shape is not particularly limited as long as the power generation units 20 are arranged without gaps, but a grid or honeycomb shape can be suitably adopted.

[0032] Furthermore, the number of power generation units 20 in the arrangement is not limited, but when the power generation units 20 are laid closely together, for example, if the power generation units 20 are on a flat surface of 1m 2 It is preferable that there be between 4 and 400 units per unit. For example, if the power generation unit 20 is equipped with a floor plate member, the size of each floor plate member is 2500 cm². 2If it is of such a degree, 1 m 2 Up to 4 per meter, for example 25 cm 2 If it is of such a degree, 1 m 2 Up to 400 per meter. Also, when arranging the power generation elements 10 in the power generation unit 20 without using a floor plate member, depending on the type of power generation element 10 used, more than 400 can be arranged per meter 2 However, even if more resolution is given, it is excessive in terms of accuracy for detection when a person rides or sits, and risks of failure and manufacturing defects also occur, so it is preferable to be within the above range. The number (density) of such power generation units 20 can be increased by installing many small power generation units 20 when improving measurement accuracy, and can be decreased when the accuracy may be low and the structure is desired to be simple

[0033] Also, in one power generation unit 20, a plurality of power generation elements 10 may be arranged on a plane, or a plurality of power generation elements 10 may be stacked in the height direction. That is, two or more power generation elements may be arranged or stacked to be configured like one power generation element. In this case, by electrically connecting the stacked power generation elements 10 in parallel, more stable and higher power generation can be obtained. That is, the transmission means described later can be stably activated. The number of power generation elements 10 when stacking power generation elements 10 in one power generation unit 20 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably 2 or more and 10 or less, and more preferably 2 or more and 4 or less. It can be appropriately set according to the activation power of the transmission means

[0034] Furthermore, if the power required to start the transmitting means 40 is insufficient compared to the power generated by the power generation unit 20, a power amplification circuit combining a switching circuit such as a MOS-FET or transistor with a power source such as a battery separate from the power generation unit 20 may be provided. For example, if the voltage required to start the transmitting means 40 is 3V, and the maximum voltage generated by each power generation unit 20 is 1V, the transmitting means 40 cannot be started as is. Therefore, as illustrated in Figure 2, by connecting a battery of 3V or more to a switching circuit such as a MOS-FET or transistor, and to the power inputs of the power generation unit 20 and the transmitting means, the voltage generated by the power generation unit 20 can be amplified. Specifically, in Figure 2, an n-type MOS-FET is used, the positive terminal of the power generation unit 20 is connected to the gate (G) of the MOS-FET, the negative terminal of the power supply of the transmitting means 40 is connected to the drain (D) of the MOS-FET, the battery is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply of the transmitting means 40, and the negative terminal of the battery, the source (S) of the MOS-FET, and the negative terminal of the power generation unit 20 are connected to a common ground. As a result, when no power is being generated in the power generation unit 20, no voltage is applied to the gate of the MOS-FET, so the switching circuit is closed and no battery voltage is applied to the transmitting means 40, preventing it from starting. When power is being generated in the power generation unit 20, a voltage is applied to the gate of the MOS-FET, the switching circuit opens, a voltage of 3V or more is applied to the transmitting means 40, and the transmitting means 40 starts up. Since the transmitting means 40 does not start up while the switching circuit is closed, battery consumption is kept to a minimum, so even if a transmitting means 40 with a high required starting voltage is used, there is no need for extensive power supply wiring or frequent battery replacement. Similarly, when a transistor is used instead of a MOS-FET, the switching circuit opens when power is being generated by the power generation unit 20, so even if a transmitting means 40 with a high starting voltage is used, there is no need for extensive power supply wiring or frequent battery replacement.

[0035] Furthermore, a charging section such as a capacitor may be provided between the power generation unit 20 and the transmitting means 40. Depending on the type of power generation element used in the power generation unit 20, some may generate a high voltage instantaneously followed by a drop, while others may involve a gradual rise and fall in voltage, potentially leading to unstable startup of the transmitting means 40. Therefore, by providing a charging section between the power generation unit 20 and the transmitting means 40, the power generated from the power generation unit 20 can be temporarily stored in the charging section, and once a certain amount of energy has been accumulated, that energy can be supplied to the transmitting means 40 for startup. Additionally, a bypass capacitor may be provided between the power generation unit 20 and the transmitting means 40 for the purpose of removing noise.

[0036] Furthermore, a diode may be provided between the power generation unit 20 and the transmitting means 40. Depending on the power generation element used in the power generation unit 20, AC power generation may occur, in which case it is necessary to convert it to DC. Therefore, by using a diode between the power generation unit 20 and the transmitting means 40, rectification can be achieved. Furthermore, a light-emitting diode may be used as the diode. This allows the energy generated from the power generation unit 20 to flow and the light-emitting diode to light up, making it easy to confirm whether it is operating normally, and also to confirm whether a person has stepped on or sat on the power generation unit 20, even in a dark place.

[0037] (Transmission means) In this invention, the transmitting means 40 is activated using the energy generated by the power generation unit 20 as a power source and transmits a signal to the information processing means 50.

[0038] In other words, a signal is sent from the transmission means 40 to the information processing means 50 when a person is standing or sitting on the power generation unit 20. Therefore, whether or not the transmission means 40 is activated can be used to determine whether or not a person is standing or sitting on the power generation unit 20.

[0039] The transmitting means 40 can transmit signals to the information processing means 50 either wirelessly or via a wired connection, but it is preferable that the signals be transmitted wirelessly. A wireless transmission method by the transmitting means 40 is preferable because it reduces the amount of wiring in the congestion measurement system.

[0040] The type of transmitting means 40 is not particularly limited. Logic circuits combining multiple diodes and transistors, microcontrollers with wired or wireless communication functions, and wireless communication modules with wireless communication functions can be suitably used. Transmitters using visible light or infrared light, and modules that output sound such as speakers or acoustic couplers can also be used. When a microcontroller is used as the transmitting means 40, the power generation unit 20 can be connected to the power supply of the microcontroller, allowing it to be started by the energy generated by the power generation unit 20. A signal can then be transmitted to the information processing means 50 via a wired connection from the output pins of the microcontroller. Alternatively, if the microcontroller has a wireless communication function, a signal can be transmitted to the information processing means 50 via wireless communication. Furthermore, when a wireless communication module is used as the transmitting means 40, the power generation unit 20 can be connected to the power supply of the wireless communication module, allowing it to be started by the energy generated by the power generation unit 20. A signal can then be transmitted to the information processing means 50 via the wireless communication function of the wireless communication module.

[0041] When the transmitting means 40 is a microcontroller having wired or wireless communication capabilities, or a wireless communication module having wireless communication capabilities, the signal transmitted by the transmitting means 40 may be a signal that merely indicates that the transmitting means 40 has been activated, but it may also be configured to transmit information that has been set in advance. For example, the transmitting means 40 may be pre-stored information such as an individual identification number as information to identify an individual, or address information that specifies the position of each individual power generation unit 20 in an array when multiple power generation units are arranged, and when the transmitting means 40 is activated, it may transmit a signal containing this information to the information processing means 50. Furthermore, when transmitting a signal by wireless communication, there are no particular limitations on the communication method, but mutual communication with the information processing means 50 may be performed by TCP / IP communication (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), however, it is preferable to use UDP communication (User Datagram Protocol) and transmit the individual identification number information and the address information that specifies the position of each power generation element in the array in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format, as this allows for high-speed communication even with a small amount of power generation. For example, if the identification number information consists of a binary value of a positive decimal integer from 0 to 255, a comma (,), and address information specifying the position of each power generation element in the array, also consisting of a binary value of a positive decimal integer from 0 to 255, all of these can be combined into a JSON format, resulting in a short communication time. Furthermore, if the array size exceeds 256, even if the address information consists of a binary value of a decimal number from 0 to 65535, it only adds one byte. Even when combining this with voltage-related information, as described later, the data communication volume remains very small (less than 10 bytes), allowing the power generation unit alone to power the transmission means 40.

[0042] The transmitting means 40 may also be configured to read the voltage value and transmit this value as a signal. That is, the transmitting means is equipped with an arithmetic processing unit, and if this arithmetic processing unit is equipped with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), it can read the voltage value generated by the power generation unit 20. By transmitting this voltage value as a signal from the transmitting means 40, it becomes possible to calculate how much power has been generated by the power generation unit 20, and from this information, information such as the weight of the person standing or sitting on the power generation unit 20, i.e., whether they are a child or an adult, can be collected. In this case, it is preferable to have a separate power source to drive the transmitting means 40 from the power generation unit 20, and for example, known dry cell batteries or button batteries can be used.

[0043] When a transmitter using visible light or infrared light is used as the transmitting means 40, the energy generated by the power generation unit 20 is used to light the light, and the information processing means 50 may be configured to detect whether or not the light is lit by connecting a light receiver or camera. Particularly from the viewpoint of protecting privacy, it is preferable to configure the system to detect the lighting of the light as the transmitting means 40 using a light receiver rather than a camera. Furthermore, when installing multiple power generation units 20, each power generation unit 20 may be configured to light up with a different color tone. This makes it possible to measure whether a person has stepped on or sat on the unit by the lighting of the light, and also to measure which of the multiple power generation units has reacted.

[0044] Furthermore, if a sound-outputting module such as a speaker or acoustic coupler is used as the transmission means 40, the energy generated by the power generation unit 20 may be used to output sound from the speaker or sound-outputting module, and a microphone may be connected to the information processing means 50 to detect whether or not the sound is being output. Also, when multiple power generation units 20 are installed, each power generation unit 20 may be configured to output sounds of different wavelengths and melodies. This makes it possible to measure whether a person has stepped on or sat on the unit based on the sound output, and also to measure which of the multiple power generation units has reacted based on the differences in sound wavelength and melody.

[0045] (Information processing means) In the present invention, the information processing means 50 is a means for receiving information transmitted from the transmission means 40 and determining the congestion status. The type of information processing means 50 is not particularly limited, and a logic circuit combining multiple diodes and transistors, a microcontroller having wired or wireless communication functions, or a wireless communication module equipped with wireless communication functions can be suitably used.

[0046] Furthermore, even if the information processing means is integrated with the power generation unit and transmission means, or connected by wire, the information processing means may be separate from the power generation unit and transmission means and capable of wireless communication. In particular, it is preferable that the information processing means be separate from the power generation unit and transmission means and capable of wireless communication to prevent damage from being stepped on by people passing by or tripping over wired connections.

[0047] Furthermore, the information processing means may be equipped with storage means, or the information processing means may be connected to external storage means. Here, storage means refers to means for storing information, and specifically includes electromagnetic recording media such as memory, hard disks, and optical discs. These storage means may be built into the information processing means itself, or they may be external to the information processing means and directly connected. Furthermore, the storage means may be installed remotely as a server and connected to the information processing means via a communication line.

[0048] Furthermore, when the information processing means is equipped with a storage means, the information stored in the storage means is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that it be one or more types of information selected from the group consisting of, for example, information regarding the position information of the arranged power generation units 20, information regarding signals transmitted from the power generation units 20 in the past, information regarding the time when signals transmitted from the power generation units 20 in the past were received, information regarding criteria for the degree of congestion used to determine congestion status, and information regarding past congestion status determination results. The method of storing such information is also not particularly limited, and known information storage methods include storing information using a function with array variables, storing information by recording it in a Comma Separated Value (csv) file, and storing it in a data server using a query language.

[0049] The information processing means may be equipped with a timer for measuring a predetermined time. The predetermined time is not limited to measuring actual time (for example, an RTC or real-time clock circuit), but may also be the number of routines executed on a program for controlling the information processing means. For example, the information processing means can measure the predetermined time using a timer and measure the number of signals received during that predetermined time to measure the intrusion of people into the power generation unit 20 per hour. In detail, for example, the timer of the information processing means measures any predetermined time between 100 milliseconds and 1 hour, and the population density in the area where the power generation unit 20 is installed can be estimated by counting the number of signals received due to power generation by the power generation unit 20 while the timer is running. It is preferable to appropriately change such arbitrary predetermined time depending on the location where the congestion is being measured. For example, it is preferable to set the timer in the range of 100 milliseconds to 1 minute in a place with high population density, and in a place with low population density, it is preferable to set the timer in the range of 1 minute to 1 hour. Furthermore, the timing of timer activation is not particularly limited; the timer may run while the information processing means is operating, or it may be activated intermittently at any arbitrary timing, or it may be activated by a method for controlling the timer's activation. As a method for controlling the timer's activation, for example, the timer may be activated when the information processing means first receives a signal, or the information processing means may be provided with an arbitrary operating means such as a switch, and the timer may be activated by operating this operating means. After the timer has finished measuring a predetermined time, it may enter a standby state and be activated again by a method for controlling the timer's activation.

[0050] Furthermore, while the information stored in these storage means may be pre-stored, unrewritable information, it is preferable that the information be configured to be rewritable as needed. For example, the storage means can be configured to accept positional information indicating the relative positions of multiple power generation units 20, and the power generation units 20 can be arranged and installed in accordance with this positional information, which can then be referenced when determining congestion information. As a concrete example, as shown in the congestion measurement system 2 illustrated in Figure 3, 64 power generation units 20 are arranged in an 8x8 grid, and each power generation unit 20 in the first row is assigned a unique number [11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18], each power generation unit 20 in the second row is assigned a unique number [21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28], ... and each power generation unit 20 in the eighth row is assigned a unique number [81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88]. The memory means then assigns these unique numbers [11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]...[81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88] to a function using an array variable. When a person stands or sits on a specific power generation unit 20 among several power generation units 20, that power generation unit 20 generates electricity, and a signal 30 containing a unique number corresponding to that power generation unit 20 is transmitted from the transmitting means 40 to the information processing means 50. For example, in the example in Figure 3, the signal 30 contains information including the location information of the power generation unit 20 on which the person is standing, namely "17, 22, 33, 66, 67, 83, 84". The information processing means 50 then reads the unique number from the received signal 30 and reads which array position of the function stored in the storage means stores that unique number. In the example in Figure 3, for each piece of information (element in the array) of the unique number "17, 22, 33, 66, 67, 83, 84" contained in the signal 30 received by the information processing means 50 searches the array of functions stored in the storage means for the seven values ​​"17", "22", "33", "66", "67", "83", and "84", and confirms that these values ​​exist in the array of functions. As a result, seven of the 64 unique numbers matched, indicating that 7 out of the arranged power generation units 20 generated electricity.This allows the information processing means 50 to determine what percentage of the multiple arranged power generation units 20 are occupied by people, and to calculate a congestion status determination result 60 from this percentage. In the example in Figure 3, the congestion status determination result 60 is shown as being calculated based on the percentage of the arranged power generation units 20 that are generating power, but the number of people occupying the power generation units 20 can also be estimated from the changes in the signal 30 over time. For example, in Figure 3, one person is sitting on unit numbers "83" and "84," but if unit number "82" generates power afterward, it can be estimated that one person is sitting on unit numbers "83" and "84" and has moved to unit number "82." Similarly, it can be estimated that one person is on unit number "17," one person is on unit numbers "22" and "33," and one person is on unit numbers "66" and "67," thus inferring a total of four people to be present in the arranged power generation units 20. This allows for a more accurate calculation of the congestion status.

[0051] Furthermore, only one information processing means is required, and it is preferable that one information processing means is configured to receive signals from multiple transmission means. In addition, the information processing means may perform the following processes together: receiving the signal 30 transmitted from the transmission means 40, processing the congestion status determination result 60 obtained by processing the information contained in the signal 30, and transmitting the determination result 60 to the display means 70, all with one information processing means, or the processing may be divided among multiple information processing means, each responsible for a specific role. The information processing means may operate using the power generated in the power generation unit, but it may also be able to be started by connecting to a known power source such as a battery, power outlet, etc. If the information processing means can operate using the power generated in the power generation unit, there are no particular restrictions on the installation location, but if at least one information processing means can receive signals from multiple transmission means, the number of power sources required to operate the information processing means will be reduced. In other words, only a minimum power source needs to be provided without performing large-scale wiring work.

[0052] Figure 1 shows one mode of information processing performed by the information processing means 50. The transmission means 40 is set with address information corresponding to each of the multiple arranged power generation units 20, and by standing on or sitting on a predetermined power generation unit 20, the address information corresponding to this power generation unit 20 is transmitted to the information processing means 50 as a signal 30.

[0053] Next, as shown in Figure 4 as an example of a flowchart of the information processing performed by the information processing means 50, the information processing means 50 receives a signal 30 from the transmission means 40 (S10), calculates a determination result 60 from the information contained in the signal 30 (S20), and transmits the determination result 60 to the display means 70 (S30). There are various methods for calculating the judgment result 60, but the following are examples of specific methods for calculating the judgment result 60.

[0054] (1) Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the flowchart of the information processing performed by the information processing means 50. In this embodiment, address information corresponding to the power generation unit 20 and location information of the power generation unit 20 corresponding to that address are stored in the storage means of the information processing means 50 in advance, and can be read from the storage means by the information processing means 50 as needed. When the first signal 30 is received from the transmission means 40 (S10), this triggers a timer provided in the information processing means 50 to start measuring a predetermined time (S52). Next, the information processing means 50 continues to receive the signal 30 until a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer started (S54~S60). At this time, the information processing means 50 reads the address information contained in the received signal 30 (S56). The signal 30 contains address information corresponding to the power generation unit 20 when a person gets on or sits on it. Next, the information processing means 50 reads the location information corresponding to the address contained in the signal 30 from the storage means (S58). After a predetermined time has elapsed, the information processing means 50 determines the number of power generation units 20 that have generated power and their installation locations from the information processed during the predetermined time (S62). Next, the information processing means 50 calculates the ratio of the number of power generation units 20 that have been determined to have generated power out of the multiple power generation units 20 arranged in a row (S64). This calculates the ratio of power generation units 20 that are occupied by people among the multiple power generation units 20 that are installed in a row, and outputs the congestion status as population density to the display means as a determination result 60 (S66). In this embodiment, the "predetermined time" is an arbitrarily set time, and it is sufficient if it is a time during which the power generation status of the power generation units 20 can be monitored to see if a person who is standing or sitting on the power generation unit 20 is moving. Specifically, it can be arbitrarily set between 100 milliseconds and 1 hour. More specifically, if you want to determine the congestion status in an environment where people are moving on foot or by bicycle, you can determine the movement status of people and changes in the number of people by monitoring the power generation status of the power generation units 20 for 100 milliseconds. Furthermore, in environments where people remain in a place for extended periods, such as train seats, the congestion level can be determined by monitoring the power generation status of the power generation unit 20 for a maximum of approximately one hour. Hereafter, "specified time" refers to the "specified time" as exemplified above.

[0055] (2) Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the flowchart of the information processing performed by the information processing means 50. In this embodiment, the number of arranged power generation units 20 is stored in the storage means of the information processing means 50 in advance. Next, when the information processing means 50 receives the first signal 30 from the transmission means 40 (S10), this triggers a timer provided in the information processing means 50 to start measuring a predetermined time (S52). Next, the information processing means 50 continues to receive the signal 30 until a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer started (S54~S72). At this time, the information processing means 50 measures the number of times the signal 30 received from the transmission means 40 is received (S70). After the predetermined time has elapsed, the information processing means 50 calculates what percentage of the power generation units 20 were occupied or occupied by people during the predetermined time, based on the number of times the signal 30 was received relative to the number of power generation units 20 stored in the storage means, and calculates the congestion status determination result 60 as population density (S74). Next, the judgment result 60 is output to the display means 70 (S76).

[0056] As described above, the information processing means 50 outputs a congestion status determination result 60 from the received signal 30. In the above example, a storage means is used, but it is not necessarily required. For example, a predetermined threshold may be defined in the program that controls the information processing means 50, and the congestion status determination result may be calculated based on the number of times a signal exceeding that threshold is received. Furthermore, the method for calculating the congestion status determination result 60 is not particularly limited and may be calculated based on whether the number of times the signal 30 is received in a predetermined time exceeds a predetermined threshold, whether the interval between receiving signals 30 exceeds a predetermined threshold, or whether the signal strength from the installed multiple power generation units 20 exceeds a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold is also not particularly limited and may be set appropriately depending on the environment in which it is used. However, it is preferable to determine that congestion occurs when the ratio of the number of installed power generation units 20 exceeds 10% in an indoor passageway, when it exceeds 20% in an outdoor passageway, and when it exceeds 80% in train seats.

[0057] (Display means) The display means displays the congestion status determination result calculated by the information processing means. The display means may be integrated with the information processing means, connected separately by a wire, or connected wirelessly. For example, examples of integrated information processing means and display means include computers with monitors, smartphones, tablets, and microcontrollers. Examples of wired or wireless connections between the information processing means and display means include computers, smartphones, tablets, and microcontrollers with separate main units and monitors. In particular, it is preferable that the information processing means is a microcontroller equipped with wireless communication capabilities, and the display means is a computer, smartphone, or tablet equipped with wireless communication capabilities. Furthermore, the information processing means and display means do not necessarily have to be directly connected wirelessly; for example, it is preferable that the information processing means is connected to a wide-area communication line such as a mobile communication system, and that the determination result can be displayed on the display means such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet via a gateway or server.

[0058] Furthermore, the display means does not necessarily have to be a monitor; in cases where congestion levels are simply measured, a light-emitting device may be used as the display means. For example, it may be configured to emit light when a predetermined congestion level is reached, or it may be configured to allow the intensity and color tone of the light to be changed depending on the congestion level. Light-emitting diodes are particularly suitable for such a light-emitting device.

[0059] The following provides a detailed description of examples of how the congestion measurement system of the present invention has been applied to various locations.

[0060] (Embodiment 1) Below, as a first embodiment, the configuration requirements of a congestion measurement system applicable to a space with multiple seats will be described in detail with reference to the figures as appropriate.

[0061] In this embodiment, the congestion measurement system measures the congestion level in a space where multiple seats exist. Examples of spaces with multiple seats include restaurants and trains, and the system can be used to measure congestion levels by determining whether there are customers sitting and eating in a restaurant, or whether there are passengers seated in the seats of a train.

[0062] For example, Figure 7 shows an example in which the congestion measurement system 3 of this embodiment is applied to a train car such as a non-reserved seat on a Shinkansen. As shown in Figure 7, the congestion measurement system 3 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of power generation units 20 equipped with power generation elements 10 (not shown) that generate electricity by load, a transmitting means 40 that transmits a signal 30 using the voltage generated from the power generation units 20 as a power source, an information processing means 50 that receives the signal 30 from the transmitting means 40 and determines the congestion status from the signal 30, and a display means 70 that displays the congestion status determination result 60 by the information processing means 50.

[0063] More specifically, the power generation unit 20 is installed on at least one of the seat backrest 100 and seat surface 110, and the transmitting means 40 is connected to the respective power generation units 24 and 22. In Figure 7, an example is shown where the transmitting means 40 is provided on the side of the seat base, but it may also be embedded in the seat, installed on the top of the seat backrest, or provided on a separate surface from the seat, such as the wall or ceiling of the vehicle. Also, in Figure 7, the transmitting means 40 is configured to transmit signals wirelessly, but it may also be configured to transmit signals via a wire. The transmitting means may not be just one unit, but may consist of multiple devices such as gateways and signal repeaters and be relayed. The signal transmitted from the transmitting means 40 is transmitted to the information processing means 50. In the example in Figure 7, the transmitting means transmits a signal to an external server, and the external server determines the congestion status from the signal, but this may be a computer inside the vehicle that can receive signals via wire or wireless. The information processing means determines whether a seat is occupied based on the received signal; that is, seats that receive a signal are considered occupied, and seats that do not receive a signal are considered empty, thereby determining the level of congestion. This congestion level is displayed by the display means. In the example of congestion level measurement system 2 shown in Figure 3, the congestion level determined by the server can be displayed on an online web page via an electronic terminal such as a smartphone, but it may also be displayed inline on a computer monitor. Furthermore, the presence or absence of congestion may be displayed not only on the screen of a computer, smartphone, or tablet, but also by lights or other means.

[0064] Furthermore, the transmitting means 40 may be configured to enable the information processing means 50 to be started by energy supplied by the power generation unit 20, but it may also be equipped with a battery or other power source to assist in starting the information processing means 50. When using a battery or other power source, a switching circuit such as a MOS-FET or transistor, as illustrated in Figure 2, can be suitably employed. By using such a switching circuit, the power of the battery or other power source is hardly consumed when the information processing means 50 is in standby mode, and power is consumed only when transmitting a signal, allowing for long-term operation. In addition, for example, by housing the switching circuit together with the battery or other power source in the enclosure that houses the transmitting means 40 shown in Figure 7, extensive wiring work is unnecessary.

[0065] The operating mechanism of the congestion measurement system 3 of this embodiment is illustrated below. When a person sits on the seat 110, the weight is applied to the power generation element 10 (not shown) of the power generation unit 20 installed on the seat 110, generating electricity. This generated energy is transmitted to the transmitting means 40, which then starts up. The transmitting means 40 has pre-stored the unique information (address) of the power generation unit 20 that supplied the energy, and transmits a wireless signal 30 containing the unique information of the power generation unit 20 that supplied the energy. Next, this signal 30 is received by an information processing means 50, which acts as a server installed outside the vehicle, via a gateway (not shown) installed inside the vehicle, through a mobile communication network or fixed communication network. The information processing means 50 reads the unique information of the power generation unit 20 contained in the signal 30 and determines which seat is considered to be occupied by a person. This determination is performed similarly for other seats, and the occupancy rate of seats in the vehicle is calculated. The congestion level is determined from this seating rate, and the determination result 60 is transmitted as web data via the mobile communication network or fixed communication network. This web data can be displayed on the display means 70, which is a mobile terminal, meaning that the congestion level determination result 60 is displayed on the display means 70.

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, as a modification of this embodiment, a power generation unit 20 may also be installed on the backrest 100. Although power is generated when a person sits on the seat 110, there is a risk that a passenger sitting in the adjacent seat may place their luggage on another empty seat, leading to a false determination that the seat is occupied. In this case, by installing a power generation unit 20 on the backrest 100 as well, and setting the congestion determination method by the information processing means 50 to determine that a person is seated when both the power generation unit 20 installed on the seat 110 and the power generation unit 20 installed on the backrest 100 are generating power, the congestion status can be determined with greater accuracy.

[0067] (Embodiment 2) In this embodiment, the congestion measurement system measures congestion in a space where multiple people are walking or standing still. Examples of such spaces include mass retailers, train stations, public facilities, event venues, and tourist attractions, and the system can be used to measure congestion based on the number of people present.

[0068] For example, Figure 8 shows an example in which the congestion measurement system 4 of this embodiment is applied to a room 130 enclosed on all four sides by walls 120. As shown in Figure 8, the congestion measurement system 4 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of power generation units 20 equipped with power generation elements 10 (not shown) that generate electricity by weight, a transmitting means 40 that transmits a signal 30 using the voltage generated from the power generation units 20 as a power source, an information processing means 50 that receives the signal 30 from the transmitting means 40 and determines the congestion status from the signal 30, and a display means 70 that displays the congestion status determination result 60 by the information processing means 50. Here, the room 130 can be exemplified by a room with a certain limit on the number of people that can be accommodated, such as a conference room or meeting hall.

[0069] More specifically, the power generation units 20 are laid out in a vertical and horizontal arrangement on the floor of the room 130, and a transmitting means 40 is connected to each power generation unit 20. In Figure 8, an example is shown in which the transmitting means 40 is installed inside wall 120, which is one wall of the room 130, but it may also be placed on an empty space on the floor inside the room 130, embedded in the floor, or installed on the ceiling (not shown). Also, in Figure 8, the transmitting means 40 is configured to transmit a signal (not shown) to the information processing means 50 via a wired connection, but it may also be configured to transmit signals wirelessly. The transmitting means may consist of not just one device, but multiple devices relayed together. The signal transmitted from the transmitting means 40 is sent to the information processing means 50. In the example in Figure 8, the transmitting means 40 transmits a signal to the information processing means 50, which is a server outside the room 130, and the external server determines the congestion status from the signal, but this may also be a computer capable of receiving signals via wired or wireless connection. The information processing means 50 determines the presence of people in room 130 and the number (density) of those people based on the received signal, and determines the congestion level from the determined number of people. The result of this congestion level is displayed by the display means. In the example in Figure 8, the congestion level determined by the server can be displayed on an online web page on an electronic terminal such as a smartphone, but it may also be displayed inline on a computer monitor. Furthermore, the presence or absence of congestion may be indicated not only on the screen of a computer, smartphone, or tablet, but also by lamps or the like.

[0070] The operating mechanism of the congestion measurement system 4 of this embodiment is illustrated below. When a person steps onto the power generation unit 20 installed on the floor, the weight is applied to the power generation element 10 (not shown) provided on the power generation unit 20, causing it to generate electricity. This generated energy is transmitted to the transmission means 40, which then activates. The transmission means 40 has pre-stored the unique information (address) of the power generation unit 20 that supplied the energy, and transmits a wired signal (not shown) containing the unique information of the power generation unit 20 that supplied the energy. This wired signal is then received by an information processing means 50, which acts as a server installed outside the room 130 via a mobile or fixed communication network. The information processing means 50 reads the unique information of the power generation unit 20 contained in the signal 30 and determines where in the room 130 the person entered. This determination is performed similarly for all power generation units 20 in the room 130, and the ratio of the power generation units 20 entered by a person to the total number of power generation units 20 is calculated. The congestion level is determined from this ratio, and the determination result 60 is transmitted as web data via the mobile communication network or fixed communication network. This web data can be displayed on the display means 70, which is a mobile terminal, meaning that the congestion level determination result 60 is displayed on the display means 70.

[0071] As shown in the embodiments described above, the congestion measurement system of the present invention can measure congestion with high accuracy without requiring extensive wiring work.

[0072] (Other embodiments) The embodiments described above are illustrative examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. These examples may be combined with or partially replaced with well-known, conventional, or prior art. Modified inventions that would be easily conceived by those skilled in the art are also included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1,2,3 Congestion status measurement system 10 Power generation element 20 Power Generation Department 30 signals 40 Transmission method 50 Information Processing Means 60 Judgment result 70 Display means 100 Backrest 110 Seat 120 Wall 130 rooms

Claims

1. Multiple power generation units equipped with frictional power generation elements that generate electricity through load, A transmitting means that uses the voltage generated from the power generation unit as a power source to transmit a signal indicating that the transmitting means has been activated, Information processing means that receives the signal from the transmitting means and determines the congestion status based on whether the number of times the signal is received in a predetermined time exceeds a predetermined threshold, or whether the interval between signals is received exceeds a predetermined threshold, A display means for displaying the congestion status determination result by the information processing means, A congestion measurement system equipped with the following features.

2. The system further comprises a switching circuit of either an MOS-FET or a transistor, which amplifies the voltage generated from the power generation unit to activate the transmitting means, and a battery or a power cell. The power generation unit and the transmitting means are connected via the switching circuit. The battery or power supply is connected to the transmitting means to supply power. The congestion status measurement system according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

3. Each of the power generation units is assigned a unique identification number, and the information processing means is a plurality of front Identify the unique information of the power generation unit that generated electricity, and determine the location of the power generation unit that generated electricity. A congestion measurement system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by specifying [a specific element].

4. The information processing means calculates the number of power generation units that have generated power from the total number of power generation units, and then calculates the mixed A congestion status measurement system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by determining the result of the determination of the congestion status. Tem.

5. The congestion measurement system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the friction power generation element is a friction power generation element in which a charged material is laminated on an elastomer.

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